Audio-Technica ATH-CK5 impressions & picture

[Elephas]

I bought the ATH-CK5 a few days ago. I plan to use it plugged directly into an iPod shuffle.

Sound quality is acceptable for its form factor and price. It is on the bright side, with clear highs. There isn't much bass though. Actually, there isn't any bass. I'm not a basshead but would've liked some bass, even the boomy kind. The CK5 is probably the earbud equivalent of the AKG K501.

I tried all three sizes of the rubber sleeves, and they all sounded the same. Apparently these earbuds aren't like some IEMs which need a good seal.

The CK5 sounds very different from my old Sony MDR-EX70, which are muddier and boomier. The CK5's clearer treble makes the EX70 sound very muffled in comparison. The EX70 has bass though, and are more enjoyable with music such as fast-paced dance music.

The two rubber parts extending from the earbuds are intended to keep the CK5 securely in your ear. The rubber is harder than I would have preferred. I've had no comfort issues wearing them for less than 20 minutes.

The CK5 has a short cord and comes with 3 sizes of rubber sleeves, a cloth carrying bag and extension cable.

Note: my CK5 are still new with less than 30 min. usage. If bass appears after burn-in, I'll be very happy and very surprised.

 

[DigDub]

same impressions as mine. they do lack bass and very strong mids.

 

[oScARSr]

It's a nice headphone if you dont like the bass from EX71 or FX55.
In addition, its more comfortable than sony's in-ear bud.

there is some pics i took :

 

[kramer5150]

burn them in...
Amp em.... through the ipod line output

there is that issue (that some folks claim) with the ipod and low impedence loads lacking bass output.

If its like many other low impedence, current hungry canal phone their sonic signature may change dramatically amped with a high current amp ciircuit.

Dont give up on them yet....

Garrett

 

[terrymx]

mids and highs, thats good new. finally a cheap canalphone that sound good?

how bright is it, is it fatiguing or not?

also what is the length of the cable with and without the extension? i hate splitted cable.

 

[DigDub]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 burn them in... Amp em.... through the ipod line output there is that issue (that some folks claim) with the ipod and low impedence loads lacking bass output. If its like many other low impedence, current hungry canal phone their sonic signature may change dramatically amped with a high current amp ciircuit. Dont give up on them yet.... Garrett

its not a problem with the ipod. the ck5 is inherently not strong in bass. i use it with the hd5 and while other phones sound overwhelmed with bass when on the highest bass setting, the ck5 sounds punchy at best.

 

[DigDub]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx mids and highs, thats good new. finally a cheap canalphone that sound good? how bright is it, is it fatiguing or not? also what is the length of the cable with and without the extension? i hate splitted cable.

the length without extension is 0.5 meters. the midrange is overpowering at times, and sometimes sound which are supposed to be in the background gets brought forward, which makes for a strange and mildy annoying listening experience.

 

[Elephas]

I've been burning-in the CK5 over the weekend hoping for some bass to show up. Unfortunately, it still sounds the same as before.

I am going to reverse my original opinion "Sound quality is acceptable for its form factor and price." It sounds very unnatural and I cannot listen to it for more than a couple songs. Comparatively, the Sony EX70 is very muddy but I can still listen to it and enjoy the music.

To those considering the CK5 without the opportunity to hear them first, I recommend looking for something else.

 

[phosfiend]

Thanks for letting us know - I've been quite curious about this canal phone - i was hoping to hear that it retained some solid bass but cleaned up the rest of the sound that EX71/81 suck at... o well. Kinda surprising considering the driver in these is atelast 20% bigger... I uess my next canal will be the sharp offering.

 

[viator122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx also what is the length of the cable with and without the extension? i hate splitted cable.

No kidding, it's like they just assume we're all using minidisc players with remotes. It is way more annoying for a non-remote user to deal with the extension cable and heavy plug/jack than for a remote user to deal with a bit of extra cable.

 

[Connie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by terrymx mids and highs, thats good new. finally a cheap canalphone that sound good? how bright is it, is it fatiguing or not? also what is the length of the cable with and without the extension? i hate splitted cable.

Terry, i can say they are a pair of cheap canalphone that sound good! It's selling at wareshouse123 for $26.96. These pair are even cheapier than a pair of ex71 in amazon.com.